OE Ohlins vs. Aftermarket Ohlins

[SwiftTone]

I've heard somewhere that Ohlins that come stock on a bike is not that same quality as if were to buy an aftermarket piece from Ohlins.

I'm thinking of buying an Ohlins shock that would of came from a stock Ducati 748-999. I've talked to Ohlins and they said they can customized the shock for my bike. Total cost of the shock plus revalve would be ~$600. Peter Kates said an aftermarket shock starts at $900. So this would be more cost effective if the performance is similar.

Now if I have them rework the shock for my bike, would an aftermarket Ohlins piece still be superior?

[jwm2k3]

You are correct, they are not the same. The oe Ohlins is better than stock non Ohlins, but not as good as the aftermarket Ohlins...like a TTX Ohlins. The oe one is most likely a DU5xx or a DU8xx model.

What's your intent for the bike? Track? Street withe some 2up?

For solo performance riding, I'd go for the TTX, when you buy a new Ohlins, whoever sells it to you should be able to re-spring it for you at no cost....or goto another seller.

I bought a used oe Ohlins DU for my racebike. It was already sprung and re-valve and modified for my weight and intent... $400. Couldn't pass that up, but it is inferior to a TTX. Still light years better than the stock Showa that was in there...

[SwiftTone]

It's going to be about 10% 2-up and 2 track days a year. TTX is top money I don't have or need. Thought maybe the DU shocks would be a good compromise of value and performance.

[burnham]

OE Ohlins seemed fine to me on the track.

[xxaarraa]

As John said, OEM ohlins is better than non-ohlins, but aftermarket ohlins (even non-TTX) is always going to be better. OEM Ohlins are made to a price specified by Ducati and not as good - e.g., I remember attending a Seacoast suspension seminar where they had the OE ohlins apart and the TiN coating only went up a few inches and then stopped. They also said the valving and internals of OEM ohlins isn't best in class.

[OreoGaborio]

This for the RC?

An aftermarket shock of any kind will LIKELY have better build quality, damping charactaristics and usually the adjustability has finer & wider ranges than an OE shock, regardless of manufacturer (depending on the shock, of course... if you wanna compare a base model aftermarket to a top of the line OE shock from a Bimota or some craziness then ya, that won't hold true.)

[jasnmar]

This for the RC?

I suspect it is for something more Italian than the RC.

[SwiftTone]

This is for the Monster S2R 1000 I just picked up. It has RaceTech Gold valves in the front and just Ohlins spring in the rear. Sprung for 190lbs. The stock Sachs shock is only preload and rebound adjustable.

My RC has Ohlins valving in the front and Penske double clicked in the rear. Plans for the Monster is to respring front and rear and get a shock that's similar to my Penske without going broke. The OE 748-999 Ohlins are pretty much direct swaps so if those are comparable to the Penske double clicker I'd be happy.

Ohlins does not make a shock that's fully adjustable for the Monster either!

[Pigman]

Same holds true with Kawi dampners.....they are all over ebay and are junk

[timmyho414]

Ohlins does not make a shock that's fully adjustable for the Monster either!

are you sure about that? I have a fully adjustable, remote reservoir Ohlins on my 01. I know the rear suspension and swing arm are different but still I'd be shock if the don't make one.

...and it made a HUGE difference.

[SwiftTone]

Ohlins doesn't say they make one for my bike. I'm sure there are ones that will fit but don't have the dough to buy a new Custo built one.

[jwm2k3]

Just find an S model 749/999 shock and toss it in. You'll dig it.

[jwm2k3]

Ducati.ms and ducati.org both have classifieds

[SwiftTone]

All set. Thanks yall

[catch2otwo]

so what did you end up getting?

[SwiftTone]

Ended up picking up a used Ohlins DU8440 off a 998r. Going to send it in for rebuild, revalve and respring. Total cost should be $500-600?

Need the custom valving because it's going into a Monster and the suspension geometry is different

[Pigman]

Ended up picking up a used Ohlins DU8440 off a 998r. Going to send it in for rebuild, revalve and respring. Total cost should be $500-600?

Need the custom valving because it's going into a Monster and the suspension geometry is different

I have used Ohlins in NC and they are great guys......

[SwiftTone]

I have used Ohlins in NC and they are great guys......

Ya seems like it. Jerry helped me with verifying basic figment via email.

Torn between using Ohlins or Peter. I have to get the forks resprung as well and it's RaceTechs in there.

[jwm2k3]

Same holds true with Kawi dampners.....they are all over ebay and are junk

On the 2 MV Agusta F4 1000's I've owned they both came with an Ohlins damper from the factory. There were like 18 clicks of adjustability. Not one difference between full damping to no damping. Junk. I bought an aftermarket Ohlins damper from Dan Kyle and holy shit the front end of that bike felt instantly planted...BUT with my current 1198S which came with an Ohlins damper from Ducati, there's a lot of adjustability and it works great....the MV was a 2005 and the Ducati is a 2010...not sure if that makes a difference.

[SwiftTone]

You guys talking about forks or steering dampers?

[jwm2k3]

Was just illustrating that theres a difference between factory issue Ohlins and aftermarket Ohlins...